As the guests enter the foyer, they are met with four 15-by-11-foot walls created using photos of the guests along with the guest of honor, reflecting how each guest had played a role in his life.

Escort cards are gold-gilded leaves hanging whimsically from florally enhanced iron trees, symbolizing the tree of life.

Each escort card provides the guest’s table assignment and a meaningful quote about life. The cards also share an appointment for a photo shoot.

A long view.

The actors pass appetizers on custom Plexiglas trays.  

The appetizers included a “Walking Raw Bar” of crab claws and jumbo shrimp, assorted sushi rolls, caviar served on crostini, and open-face lamb sliders.

The country club’s wait staff attire included navy blue ties with “To Life!” silk-screened on them.

Actors, hired as wait staff, are dressed in 1960s “country club” inspired outfits. This decade was chosen because it is one of the guest of honor’s favorite periods of time.

Tomato soup was served in a tall shot glass with a lobster grilled cheese wedge, with the shot glasses lined up in circular holes of a custom crafted wooden carrier that spelled out "To Life.”  

A pretty floral display.

After cocktails, guests enter the ballroom to find a decor scheme of blue, gold and white.  A mixture of long, round, and square tables is arranged around a dance floor and central stage.

Bold linens with different geometric patterns cover the tables.

One centerpiece design features large custom iron rings gilded with gold to complement the candelabras.

Orbs of white roses, hydrangea, green cymbidium orchids, white Phalaenopsis orchids, green amaranthus, Casablanca lilies, and mini calla lilies create a lush and elaborate design around the gold rings.

A major focal point in the room was the ceiling treatment sweeping over the entire dance floor.

Thousands of strands of gold threaded confetti suspended over the guest’s heads throughout the ballroom. Nestled within the confetti hung several bubble bowls with candles to add a soft effect for lighting the dance floor.

The natural movement of each strand coupled with the dramatic lighting produced a magical effect.

A geometric arrangement of floral in a glass orb.

A festive tabletop.

A close-up.

Many of the centerpieces consist of traditional gold candelabras with a unique spin. Instead of incorporating candles in the conventional fashion, the event team used an inverted lampshade adorned with oversized gold confetti.

This piece is accented with a thick ring of white roses, green cymbidium orchids, white Phalaenopsis orchids, Casablanca lilies, white mini calla lilies, green amaranthus and liriope, creating a fun and whimsical effect.

Another centerpiece arrangement incorporates the Iron rings placed on pedestals high over the guests’ heads. Large orbs of white roses, white carnations, green cymbidium orchids, white calla lilies, green amaranthus and candles accompanied the Iron rings, creating a dramatic design.

Another centerpiece consists of two gold vases outlined with a shape patterned after an “O” with white Phalaenopsis orchids cascading down from the opening of the vase.

For their meals, the guests are able to order off the menu rather than have a pre-chosen entree, usually unheard of at an event of this magnitude.

A special staff member, one per table, was brought in to service the guests for beverages only. While the country club waiters were dealing with the food service, this team focused completely on giving each guest extra special service to enjoy the entertainment so they did not miss anything during the performance by walking to the bar.

The Four Freshmen performs.

At the end of the evening, when the valet delivered their cars, each guest found a bottle of wine with a custom label in the front seat, and a handwritten note thanking them for attending.